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After a post by the independent media outlet Cubanet went viral on the occasion of the Day of the Innocents, claiming that the Cuban music duo Buena Fe had arrived in Miami under the humanitarian parole program, the musicians responded.
On their official Facebook profile, the musicians denied the information and criticized the media for what they deemed a "little joke" that also claimed they had expressed a desire to start over.
"Obviously, this outlet is in such decline that it needed to pull this 'joke' for 'April Fool's Day,' not without first stating that we support what they DO need to continue existing. A bird is known by its droppings," they published in a statement full of irony.
Buena Fe, composed of Israel Rojas and Yoel Martínez, took the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to staying in Cuba, emphasizing that despite the challenges the island faces, they do not plan to emigrate.
"All our respect for our emigrants. But we continue to suffer in Cuba from the misfortunes of incompetence, bureaucracy, negligence, and shortages in Cuba, compounded by the criminal economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States government," they wrote.
The publication by Cubanet sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with some people taking it as a harmless joke while others believed the information to be true.
"The issue isn't their emigration; they lost concerts in Miami for defending the island's communism, and they were not accepted and faced heavy criticism. So, I don’t understand how they’re going to work in Miami. Who is going to listen to them? Where will they be able to perform? According to them, they want to broaden their horizons artistically, but I don’t see how they think they can achieve that since they lost their exiled audience a long time ago. For instance, in Canada, they lost concerts because no one wanted them in Toronto or Montreal. Unless they find a way to live off something other than music," wrote a social media user in the comments section.
The Martí Noticias journalist Mario J. Pentón also came forward to refute the information, citing legal processes in the United States: “The Buena Fe situation is a prank from CubaNet Noticias. I don't believe they could even get through on parole... They would end up like the judge defending asylum while in prison,” referring to the case of the Villa Clara judge Melody González Pedraza, involved in the conviction for "assault" of four young Cubans and an asylum seeker in Tampa.
Buena Fe has publicly expressed its support for the Cuban regime on several occasions. During the protests on July 11, 2021, Israel Rojas showed his support for President Miguel Díaz-Canel's "combat order," urging citizens to take to the streets in defense of the Revolution.
Additionally, they have participated in events organized by official institutions and have received praise from high-ranking officials. For instance, after a tour in Spain in 2023, the Deputy Director-General of the United States Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Johana Tablada, compared Buena Fe to the troubadour Silvio Rodríguez, stating that they "illuminate" with their music.
Controversies and Criticisms
Buena Fe's closeness to the government has sparked criticism, particularly among the Cuban diaspora and opposition groups. During their tour in Spain in 2023, they faced protests and concert cancellations due to their political stance. In Madrid, Cuban activists were attacked during one of their performances, which resulted in the suspension of several events.
In Barcelona, they were confronted by Cubans who questioned their support for the regime amidst the crisis the country is facing. These incidents reflect the polarization created by the duo, with some seeing them as defenders of Cuban culture and others viewing them as allies of a repressive government.
Institutional Support
Despite the controversies, Buena Fe has the backing of official Cuban institutions. Following the cancellations in Spain, entities such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution expressed their support for the duo, highlighting their commitment to the Revolution.
Additionally, the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) held an event in their honor, denouncing the aggressions they faced abroad and reaffirming their solidarity with the musicians.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buena Fe and Their Stance in Cuba
What did Buena Fe declare about their stay in Cuba?
Buena Fe reaffirmed its commitment to staying in Cuba despite the challenges the island faces, and criticized the "criminal economic blockade" imposed by the United States.
Why has Buena Fe been criticized by the Cuban diaspora?
Buena Fe has faced criticism for its closeness to the Cuban government and its support for the regime during political events, which has led to discontent among the Cuban diaspora and opposition groups.
What impact did Cubanet's publication have on Buena Fe?
The Cubanet publication, which falsely claimed that Buena Fe had emigrated to Miami, sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with opinions divided between those who took it as a joke and those who believed it to be true.
How has Buena Fe reacted to the criticism they received?
Buena Fe has responded to criticism with public statements, defending their political stance and their decision to remain in Cuba, despite the challenges and controversies they face due to their support for the regime.
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